| Get your tickets for Access to justice: why we need law centres | Our COVER STORY in the Law Society Messenger: LASPO Review | Public Space Protection Orders: A Law Centre perspective |
“As a society, we cannot call ourselves democratic if the most vulnerable within our society cannot gain access to justice”
Maxine Peake, GMLC Patron
Access to justice: why we need law centres
Join us for the Greater Manchester Law Centre Manifesto Launch, with: Richard Burgon MP, Shadow Justice Secretary and GMLC Patrons Maxine Peake and Robert Lizar.
Access to legal advice, representation and justice can empower people, reduce homelessness and poverty, challenge the hostile environment against claimants and migrants, enforce people’s rights and prevent inequality and exclusion.
We have witnessed a decade long attack on the most vulnerable members of our community. The politics of austerity and nationalism have led to racism, discrimination, exploitation and division.
We will not stand by and silently watch this attack on our communities.
We have a vision of a fairer society. We have a part to play.
We aim to bring together those who share our views. If you agree, we welcome you to join us.
– GMLC Manifesto
Access to legal advice, representation and justice can empower people, reduce homelessness and poverty, challenge the hostile environment against claimants and migrants, enforce people’s rights and prevent inequality and exclusion.
Hear our call for action: get your tickets here
Our COVER STORY in the Law Society Messenger: LASPO Review
We have a monthly column in the Law Society Messenger. This month, we were delighted to be asked to produce the cover story on the important topic of the LASPO review.
We are a campaign for the restoration of fully funded Legal Aid, and we call on our legal community to support the fight.
“Early 2018 the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) announced the post-implementation review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO). LASPO imposed some of the most radical changes to legal aid since being established as a central pillar of the post-war welfare state.
“Restoring legal aid in a few limited cases, overhauling the not fit for purpose exceptional case funding system and experimenting with digital solutions does not address the urgent crisis our justice system is in – not when we are faced with advice deserts and the entire future of legal aid practice and practitioners is threatened.”
Public Space Protection Orders: A Law Centre perspective
We have a vision for a fairer society – where housing is a right, and without the demonisation of the vulnerable. We work with others to campaign for this.
Manchester City Council have proposed granting themselves new powers in Manchester City Centre to address behaviours such as “aggressive” begging and obstructing building entrances/exits, stairwells of premises or highways after being asked to move. Under the new proposed powers any “authorised person” including a council officer can issue a person suspected of breaching the PSPO with a fixed penalty notice and fine of £100. If not paid and prosecuted in court the fine can rise to £1000.
Working with others in the legal community, we have produced information on the main concerns we have. See our response so far here.
“Being seen to succeed in political goals such as ending the need for rough sleeping is important for politicians. There is therefore a risk that punishment powers could be used to hide or displace the visible evidence such a goal has not been achieved.
“There is discretion in how PSPOs are to be applied, and it will be the elected politicians who decide whether to grant themselves these powers and the policies and procedures for how and when they should be used.”
We are a law centre run by the community, for the community. This means we need your support. If you have a fundraising idea, let us know at development@gmlaw.org.uk. Please consider making an individual donation by clicking here.
4 things you can do to help Greater Manchester Law Centre
- You can donate and/or set up a standing order to help fund our key legal services
- Get involved by either volunteering, becoming a member, a supporter, or if you are an organisation, you can affiliate with us. Go to the Get involved tab on the home page.
- For those of you on Twitter, follow us, RT or quote us and hashtag #WhyWeNeedGMLC or #FreeAccesstoJustice. If you are on fb follow our page and share our posts.
- Ask for a letter of support from your local councillor/MP/community organisation/trade union branch and send it in to us.
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest GMLC news.
All the very best,
Greater Manchester Law Centre (GMLC)
Phone 0161 769 2244 | Email development@gmlaw.org.uk
GMLC is run by the community for the community and your contributions are vital in securing key, free face-to-face advice and representation services as well as for fighting together for free access to justice.
